Streamwood man gets probation for standoff

A 49-year-old man who held police at bay for eight hours last month at his Streamwood home, pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of reckless conduct Friday in Rolling Meadows.

Bruce L. Hansford, of the 100 block of Beverly Court, was sentenced to six months in Cook County Jail and two years probation. He also must submit to mental health and alcohol evaluations and random drug tests, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Caroline Kennedy.

Police also confiscated and destroyed Hansford's weapons and he surrendered his firearm owner's identification card, Kennedy said.

Hansford reportedly fired at police several times during the standoff which began about 5:30 p.m. July 6 after a woman called claiming she had escaped from an armed, suicidal man.

Officers with the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System provided assistance during the ordeal which ended without injuries about 1:30 a.m. July 7.

Hansford was admitted to a psychiatric hospital after the incident, which marked Streamwood's second standoff in as many days.

Lawrence Cottone, of Marengo, is being held in Cook County Jail on home invasion, aggravated kidnapping and other charges after police say he held his ex-girlfriend hostage for about four hours on July 5 in the 700 block of Stowell Place. Cottone next appears in court on Aug. 25.